Andrew Robertson and Diogo Jota were on song as Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
Liverpool made an electric start to the game, as Diogo Jota put them in front less than two minutes in after having the ball set up on a platter by Andrew Robertson. Shortly after, Sadio Mane thought he had doubled the Reds’ advantage, only to be denied by an offside call.
Southampton had a couple of sights at Alisson Becker after that, but Liverpool went on to score the next goal, with Jota on target again, this time after being set up by Salah. Minutes later, the relentless Liverpool were three to the good, with Thiago Alcantara continuing his memorable week with a deflected week to make it 3-0.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Liverpool were four ahead, as Virgil van Dijk scored with a first-time half-volley from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner after being left in plenty of open space by Oriol Romeu. The Reds then went into cruise control mode to see the game out without much of a fuss.
The result means Liverpool are up to second on the table, leapfrogging Manchester City, with Chelsea a point ahead. With the Blues set to face Manchester United and Manchester City scheduled to take on West Ham United on Sunday, the pressure has been put on the Merseyside club’s title rivals. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Alisson Becker: 8/10
Alisson did not have a lot of glovework to do against Southampton on Saturday. However, he still needed to be alert to ensure his side did not concede a cheap goal, with the Liverpool no. 1 quick off his line to stop that from happening. The Brazilian did make three saves, but only one of those was right out of the top drawer. A major reason why Liverpool managed a clean sheet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7/10
Alexander-Arnold was not as busy as Andrew Robertson on the opposite flank. However, he still played a part in Liverpool’s win, opening up play nicely in the build-up to Diogo Jota’s second goal. Shortly into the second half, Alexander-Arnold also earned an assist when Virgil van Dijk scored from his corner. All in all, a job well done.
Ibrahima Konate: 8/10
Konate retained his spot at the heart of the Liverpool defence ahead of Joel Matip and vindicated Klopp’s decision with a solid performance. With van Dijk getting caught out at times, the French defender showed tremendous reading of the game, completing five clearances, three interceptions, two tackles and a block while winning eight duels. He has done all that he can to nail down his spot.
Virgil van Dijk: 8/10
Virgil van Dijk was not in full flow at the back on Saturday, but he still did enough to ensure Alisson was not kept too busy. There were a few moments when he was caught out, but no harm was done in the end. The former Southampton defender also grabbed a goal for his troubles, scoring with a half-volley from Alexander-Arnold’s corner.
Andrew Robertson: 9/10
Most Premier League assists provided by defenders:
53 – Leighton Baines (420 games)
44 – Graeme Le Saux (327 games)
41 – Andy Robertson (197 games)
40 – Trent Alexander-Arnold (140 games)TAA is a joke. ? pic.twitter.com/nNRrujm5LF
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) November 27, 2021
There has been a lot of criticism of Robertson recently, and fairly so. However, the Scot was much-improved on Saturday, as he showed renewed vigour on his forward forays while also being more solid in the defensive phases. The exchange with Sadio Mane in the build-up to Jota’s first was simply delightful. He could have had more assists had Jota been more clinical.
Jordan Henderson: 8/10
Back in the starting lineup, Henderson was on song on Saturday, showcasing his trademark first-time passes with elan. He released Mohamed Salah before he laid on the assist for Jota’s second goal in one such moment. The Liverpool captain played a joint game-high four key passes and helped out in the defensive phases typically industriously.
Fabinho: 8/10
Recalled to the side after getting some much-needed rest earlier this week, Fabinho was colossal in the middle of the park. The Brazilian international won six duels while completing three clearances, three tackles and two blocks. He even played two key passes and showed once again why he is so crucial for Liverpool.
Thiago Alcantara: 7/10
Two in two for @Thiago6 ? pic.twitter.com/N7qXxWSe9Z
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 27, 2021
The Player to Watch in our preview, Thiago Alcantara made a sluggish start to the game and nearly gifted Southampton a chance, only for Alisson to bail him out. There were one or two more sloppy touches late on, but the Spanish international grew into the game strongly. A memorable week grew stronger with his deflected goal. He is having the time of his life right now.
Mohamed Salah: 7/10
Saturday’s game proved to be a frustrating evening for Salah, who grew increasingly desperate to make things happen as the game progressed. While the Liverpool talisman did leave his mark on the game with the assist for Jota’s second, he could not muster a shot on target, with one of his efforts going wildly off the mark and all the way to the corner flag.
Diogo Jota: 9/10
Jota was hot off the gates and found himself in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home from Robertson’s low cross to hand Liverpool the lead in the second minute. Half an hour later, Jota doubled his and Liverpool’s tally with another tap-in from point-blank range. After that, the Portuguese international had several opportunities to complete his hat-trick but could not make the openings count.
? Salah (11)
? Mane (7)
? Jota (7)Liverpool’s front three are the top three scorers in the Premier League this season ? pic.twitter.com/yyMBOJF6ko
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 27, 2021
Sadio Mane: 8/10
One of the in-form players for Liverpool of late, Mane was relentless in his display on Saturday, pressing high up the pitch with purpose while showing a lot of imagination on the ball. One such moment saw him link up brilliantly with Robertson leading up to Jota’s goal. He thought he had scored shortly after, only to be denied by an offside call. He deserved more from the game.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7/10
Given around half an hour to impress, Oxlade-Chamberlain produced one of his better displays of the season thus far. The former Southampton academy ace was intent on making things happen and even forced a save out of Alex McCarthy with a long-range drive. He is slowly finding his feet again.
James Milner: 7/10
On for Henderson, Milner helped Liverpool retain firm control over the proceedings in the final quarter of the game efficiently. The veteran midfielder hardly ever lost the ball cheaply and opened up play nicely with some precise long passes.
Takumi Minamino: N/A
A late introduction, Minamino barely got any opportunity to make an impact, with Liverpool in cruise control mode late in the game.
